With a perfectly golden, crispy exterior and an enviably gooey, melty center, my simple, foolproof recipe for Grilled Cheese In Toaster Oven is going to blow your mind. Get ready for some Instagrammable cheese pulls!
Toaster oven grilled cheese sandwiches have all the flavor of the diner classic we all know and love, but swap the skillet for your trusty countertop appliance for a nearly hands-off experience.
I love eating grilled cheese — doesn’t everyone?? — but I don't always want to stand at the stove and take the time to cook it. After all, getting that gorgeous golden crust takes time.
Now, I can make perfect grilled cheese sandwiches every time without ever firing up the stovetop. That's because I make them in my trusty toaster oven!
Why You Will Love this Recipe
When it comes to comfort food, there are very few dishes that garner my love and affection like grilled cheese sandwiches. I’m obviously a devotée — I have recipes for grilled cheese with bacon and avocado, pizza grilled cheese, mushroom grilled cheese, and SO MANY MORE on the site already.
But this tricky little recipe is about to change your life for the better. Why? Well, because it’s made in your toaster oven, of course! While you’re free to make them in your air-fryer or on the stovetop, using your grilled cheese in a toaster oven makes life super easy.
Aside from being an identical dupe to diner sandwiches, these grilled cheese toaster oven delights are also:
- Made With Just 3 Ingredients, all of which I’d bet you already have on hand.
- Quick & Easy. This just may be the easiest recipe you'll ever make. Honestly, it’s simple enough for a 4th grader to pull off solo!
- Crowd-Pleasing. Everyone loves grilled cheese sandwiches. Anyone who says otherwise simply can’t be trusted. 😂
- Foolproof. They cook to golden, crispy, gooey perfection every time.
Endlessly Versatile. Use this method to make any variety of grilled cheese you can think of! Swap in different types of bread, use different blends of cheese, add your favorite meats or veggies… Seriously, folks. The sky is the limit.
Ingredients & Substitutions
You'll only need 3 ingredients to make this recipe. That's right, THREE! You’re welcome to consult the recipe card for the exact amounts, but this is the type of recipe I totally encourage you to “wing it.” If you're looking for ideas for what else to include inside your grilled cheese have a look at our long list of alternatives for you to choose from.
- Sliced Bread - Use any type of hearty bread like white, sourdough, whole wheat, multigrain, pumpernickel, rye, or challah (egg bread).
- Cheese Slices - Use one or a combination of cheese slices such as cheddar, Colby, provolone, Havarti, Monterey jack, swiss, smoked gouda, fontina, American or mozzarella cheeses. So long as they’re a melty variety, they’ll work beautifully! Word to the wise, though: avoid shredded cheese, as it tends to melt too quickly.
- Butter - I suggest using salted butter for extra delicious flavor, but unsalted will work too. You’re also welcome to use compound butter (garlic bread grilled cheese, anyone???) if you’re feeling fancy.
Optional Variations
While I love a basic grilled cheese as much as the next gal, the great thing about melting cheese on bread is you can make it in roughly a gazillion different ways. Here are a few variations to consider:
- No Butter? No Problem - Try peanut oil, canola oil, or avocado oil, or use mayonnaise instead. You can also use sesame oil for an extra hit of savory flavor — I find that it pairs especially well with some avocado and green onions. While vegan butter is also a-okay, I suggest avoiding margarine.
- Vegan/Dairy-Free Grilled Cheese - Swap in any of the butter substitutes listed above and use your favorite melty vegan cheese brand.
- Add Vegetables - Add sliced tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, onions, caramelized onions, sweet peppers, zucchini, spinach, avocado or guacamole, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or your favorite veggies.
- Make It Spicy - Add a sprinkling of red chili pepper flakes, a touch of cayenne, use pepper jack cheese, and/or add fresh sliced or pickled jalapeno peppers.
- Bulk It Up - Try adding your favorite meat like cooked bacon, sliced sandwich meat, pepperoni, salami, leftover ham, turkey, roast beef, or chicken. For vegetarian options try a hard-boiled egg or a dollop of macaroni and cheese. Carbs on carbs? YES, PLEASE.
- Kid-friendly - Use standard white bread and American cheese to create a kiddo-approved version.
- Sweet Grilled Cheese - Don’t knock it till you try it! Use a mild cheese like brie or havarti, add a swipe of jam, and, if you’re feeling really decadent, add a dark chocolate bar. YUM.
Did you come up with an amazing recipe for toaster oven grilled cheese? Let me know in the comments below or tag me in your social media posts so I can cheer you on!
How To Make Grilled Cheese In A Toaster Oven
This is just about the easiest recipe you'll ever make. Period. The highlights are below, but you can find the complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Step 1: Butter 1 side of 2 pieces of bread and place them butter-side down on a piece of foil that will fit in your toaster oven. Cover completely with cheese slices.
Step 2: Toast the slices until the cheese begins to melt. Then, top both with another slice of buttered bread.
Step 3: Continue To Toast the sandwiches until the bread is golden brown, then flip the sandwiches and toast to golden brown on the other side.
Step 4: Cut in half and enjoy!
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator: Store wrapped in parchment paper or foil for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze sandwiches on a baking sheet for an hour. Then, place them in an air-tight container and store for up to 2 months.
Reheat: This grilled cheese toaster works to create and reheat grilled cheese easily and quickly. Reuseable toaster bags for grilled cheese sandwiches are also a great way to reheat frozen or refrigerated grilled cheese sandwiches.
You can also reheat them in a pan coated with nonstick spray over medium-low heat until warmed through and crisp.
To reheat them in the oven, wrap each sandwich loosely in foil and place on a baking sheet. Then, bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees.
What to Serve with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
While there is no shortage of delicious things you can pair with these cozy snacks, we wrote a post about all our favorite grilled cheese sides if you're looking for some great ideas.
If you like dipping your melty cheesy toasty goodness into sauces, try our homemade Onion Ketchup and Steak Sauce. Obviously My Grandma's Cream of Tomato Soup is another great option for dipping.
What do you usually eat with grilled cheese? Let me know in the comments below!
Expert Tips
- Always use the middle rack to toast your grilled cheese sandwiches. If your toaster oven has more than one rack feel free to cook more than one grilled cheese at a time just adjust your timing accordingly.
- Keep an eye on your sandwiches the first time you make them to determine the timing needed going forward. Toaster ovens vary in temperature and timing, and not everyone has the same toasting preference. Reduce timing if you prefer your sandwich lightly toasted and increase if you prefer your toast well done.
- If you are using thick-cut bread, decrease the oven temperature by 25 degrees and cook for 3 to 4 minutes longer on each side.
- Dense, hearty bread takes longer to toast than airy, white sandwich bread does. Again, keep an eye on your first grilled cheese and you'll know the exact timing needed for the future.
FAQ
Unfortunately, I don't recommend it because the cheese will melt faster than your bread will toast.
Everything from sliced tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, raw or pickled onions, caramelized onions, sweet peppers, zucchini, spinach, avocado or guacamole, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers are all delightful.
Any cooked meat including cooked bacon, sandwich meat, leftover ham, turkey or roast beef, chicken, tuna salad, pepperoni, salami, really anything you can think of!
Yes, and you totally should!
More Grilled Cheese Recipes
Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- cheese slices enough to cover two pieces of bread, I used Colby
- 2 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Tear a piece of aluminum foil that will fit into your toaster oven.
- Butter one side of two pieces of bread and place them on aluminum foil butter-side down.
- Place slices of cheese on both pieces of bread, completely covering them.
- Place in toaster oven and TOAST for 3-5 minutes or until cheese begins to melt.
- Butter one side of the remaining two pieces of bread and place them on the two sandwiches butter-side up.
- TOAST for 5-7 minutes or until top piece of bread turns golden brown.
- Flip sandwiches and continue toasting for 5-7 minutes or until the other piece of bread is toasted to a golden brown.
- Carefully remove from toaster oven, cut in half, and serve.
Notes
- If you're looking for ideas for what else to include inside your grilled cheese have a look at our long list of alternatives for you to choose from.
- Always use the middle rack to toast your grilled cheese sandwiches. If your toaster oven has more than one rack feel free to cook more than one grilled cheese at a time just adjust your timing accordingly.
- Keep an eye on your sandwiches the first time you make them to determine the timing needed going forward. Toaster ovens vary in temperature and timing, and not everyone has the same toasting preference. Reduce timing if you prefer your sandwich lightly toasted and increase if you prefer your toast well done.
- If you are using thick-cut bread, decrease the oven temperature by 25 degrees and cook for 3 to 4 minutes longer on each side.
- Dense, hearty bread takes longer to toast than airy, white sandwich bread does. Again, keep an eye on your first grilled cheese and you'll know the exact timing needed for the future.
Nutrition
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